Why does my dog lick me a lot? There is no doubt that when a dog licks you, it is because he has great affection for you. Bearing in mind that they lick as a demonstration of great attachment, an excellent bond of affection and respect, it is time to understand this act from a clinical and ethological point of view.
If your dog also licks you excessively, keep reading this article on our site where we will explain why my dog licks me a lot and what to do.
Why do dogs lick? - Origin of the behavior
The origin of this behavior is atavistic and has its innate roots in the behavior of wolves, specifically in the behavior of cubs One of the main characteristics of wolves and that has been transmitted to their canine descendants is related to hunting.
Wolves usually go out in groups to hunt, traveling long distances, away from the den where the pups of the group are sheltered. The latter anxiously await the arrival of adults. When the group has had a successful hunt, the animals quickly and ravenously eat whatever they can. This is possible thanks to its particular stomach, which acts as an internal "market bag".
Later, they return to the den and when the pups observe the arrival of the provider group, they leave the den with a high degree of excitement and begin compulsively licking the snouts of the adult huntersThese incessant licks generate in the adult animal a nervous arc, a reflex that stimulates a certain area of the brain, which causes vomiting and the consequent regurgitation of the engulfed food earlier and that's when the cubs can eat. It's easy to imagine how quickly this habit becomes fixed in the brains of hatchlings.
Why does my dog lick me a lot? Over time, dogs have inherited this behavior from pups, so when dogs lick us, they are showing us submission, respect, and affection.
We have already seen that the behavior of wolves and dogs is closely related so, if you are curious, you may be interested in these other articles on Characteristics of wolves or How do wolves hunt? ?
Why does my dog lick my feet, hands, mouth and face?
Although the origin of the dogs' licking is related to the behavior of the pups, this behavior can also be influenced by other factors such as complicity and approval of your caregiver. When a person likes his dog to lick him, he not only accepts this behavior, but compensates and reinforces it or at least does not repress or inhibit it. In this way, the behavior is fixed in the puppy's brain, so it will continue to do so as an adult.
If you are wondering why my dog licks me a lot, it can sometimes lead to what is known as generalization of a behavior. With the passage of time, dogs no longer only lick their handler's face, but also begin to lick other parts of their body such as their feet or hands.
For more information, don't miss the video on our site below about why my dog licks me.
My dog licks me a lot, why and what to do?
When a dog licks excessively, it may no longer be done out of affection, but out of anxiety. But what does licking have to do with anxiety? They do it because, in this way, they placate or calm their anxiety For this same reason, many dogs, when they are restless or excited, also lick objects such as tables, chairs or even the ground. This behavior of compulsive licking can be considered a counterpart to the human behavior of nail biting (onychophagia) when someone is excessively nervous.
When the licking of the animal is related to situations of nervousness, it is time to seek advice and professional help to prevent the situation from becoming in compulsive behavior with more serious consequences, such as chasing and biting the tail by the dog, which can lead to serious self-inflicted dermatological injuries.
If the cause of this behavior is anxiety, a possible solution would be to opt for pheromones, as we tell you in this article about Pheromones for dogs with anxiety, are they effective? We also recommend other related articles such as Why does my dog bite his tail? o Why does my dog lick the floor?
How to prevent my dog from licking me?
If you don't want your dog to lick you, the best ways to avoid it are:
- Don't reward him: A good tip to avoid this behavior is not to reward the puppy when he does it the first few times. That fact will make the puppy not get used to doing it when he has the opportunity.
- Divert his attention: If he is already used to licking, the best way to prevent your dog from licking you is not not by reprimanding or punishing him, but by diverting his attention to another situation, such as a game.
- Don't make it easy: If the dog is used to licking your face, it is best not to bring it close to his mouth when he is interacting with it.
- He althy Activities: Enjoy activities with your dog that do not involve very close physical contact, such as going for a walk or running, will make your furry get used to them and therefore stop licking you.
For more information on properly training your dog, we advise you to read these other articles on Tips for training dogs or How to properly walk your dog?
Let my dog lick me, yes or no?
Finally, an important issue to discuss is whether or not to allow a dog to lick a person's face, hands or feet. From the social point of view, if it is wrong or not, no one has the power to decide what is right or wrong regarding this issue. My dog licks me a lot, should I let him lick me? Everyone has the freedom to decide how to relate to their pet.
Can they transmit diseases through licking?
From a sanitary and hygienic point of view, that is another story. The mouth of animals of any species is a place where a large number and variety of microbes abound The mouth of dogs is no exception and therefore, it is a probable source of infection This does not mean that the person will get it, but that there is a possibility that it will happen. People who are immunosuppressed for some reason should not have this type of physical contact with their pet. Great care should also be taken with young children and very old people.
Preventing a dog from acquiring the habit of "kissing" is as simple as not allowing it when he tries it the first few times, usually as a puppy.
In short, the problem is excesses That our dog gives us a "kiss" from time to time in a certain situation of joy, affection and well-being, is one thing, but that our dog is "snogging" us all day and for whatever reason, is quite another.
Don't hesitate to take a look at this other post on our site to find out if Is it bad to kiss my dog?
